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Dickinson Trinity sophomore Gretchen Weir, left, puts up a shot in the post over Hebron-Glen Ullin junior Teasha Voegele and senior Karen Schaaf, right, on Thursday night during a District 14 girls basketball game at Knights of Columbus Activities Center.

A tough start led to a good ending for Dickinson Trinity in a District 14 girls basketball game.

After having a hard time finding quality shots in the first half, the Titans used a strong second half to defeat Hebron-Glen Ullin 54-49 in overtime Thursday at Knights of Columbus Activities Center.

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"We were able to push the ball a little more," Trinity senior Nikki Grinsteinner said. "We realized it was a very important win that we needed to get."

The Bearcats held a 21-18 lead at halftime, but Trinity's shot selection and offense in the second half struck a chord.

"We just wanted to play good defense to make sure they didn't get so many inside touches," HGU head coach Sara Nelson said.

The Titans (7-5, 2-0 District 14) took a 26-23 lead for the first time 1 minute, 38 seconds into the third quarter following an 8-2 run.

HGU (4-6, 0-2 District 14) responded with an 11-point run. The Bearcats' main fuse was senior guard Karen Schaaf, who finished with a team-high 18 points. HGU led 34-30 after the third quarter.

"Karen needs to score in order for us to win," Nelson said. "She's the leading scorer on our team right now and we need her to get a few points every night, for us to be competitive."

After the run, it was Trinity senior Nikki Grinsteinner's time to steal the show.

The senior forward scored 16 of her game-high 21 points in the second half and overtime.

"Every team is going to key on Nikki," Trinity head coach Alysia Barman said. "Their defenses are going to be centered around Nikki."

With all of the Bearcats' eyes on Grinsteinner in the paint, the Titans found open looks.

Sophomore Rachel Jahner helped the offense get rolling with 11 points while sophomore Jillian Stockert used the lack of attention to score all 10 of her points in the second half.

"I think it opens things up for other players, especially if they are focused on a certain player on your team," Grinsteinner said. "We know we have people on our team that can shoot the ball very well."

HGU still maintained a 46-42 advantage after Paige Diede sunk her only two points of the night from the free-throw line.

That's when the Titans sophomore Katelyn Grinsteinner drained a 3-pointer with 51 seconds left in regulation to bring her team within one, 46-45.

Nikki Grinsteinner wasn't quiet for long either, stealing the ball on the ensuing inbounds and knocked in the go-ahead layup.

The Bearcats made one free throw in the final 15 seconds to tie the game at 47 and the teams headed to overtime.

Trinity controlled overtime, outscoring HGU 7-2 in the final four minutes.

Neither came out of the gates shooting very well. HGU led 9-5 after the first quarter.

The Bearcats' only other scorer in double figures was senior Allyssa Wehri. She had 11 points.

"We need to get more people scoring," Nelson said. "If they (the other team) are chasing Karen or she has an off night, we don't have as much of a chance."

The Titans knew this game was going to be important for District 14 seeding at the end of the season.

"Right now we just have to make sure we set ourselves up right for the district tournament," Barman said. "Take care of the things, we are capable of controlling."